How to Take Care of a Stye: Tips and Tricks

A stye is a small, red, painful bump that forms on the edge of your eyelid. It can look like a pimple or a boil, and it can make your eye feel sore, itchy, and watery. A stye is usually caused by a bacterial infection of the oil glands or hair follicles on your eyelid. It can affect one or both eyes, and it can occur on the upper or lower eyelid.

A stye is not a serious condition, and it usually goes away on its own within a week or two. However, it can be very annoying and uncomfortable, and it can affect your appearance and self-confidence. That’s why it’s important to know how to take care of a stye and prevent it from getting worse or spreading to other parts of your eye.

In this blog post, we will share some tips and tricks on how to take care of a stye, including home remedies, over-the-counter treatments, and when to see a doctor. We will also answer some frequently asked questions about styes, such as what causes them, how to prevent them, and how to tell them apart from other eye problems.

Home Remedies for a Stye

The best way to treat a stye at home is to apply a warm compress to the affected eye. A warm compress can help reduce the swelling, pain, and inflammation of a stye, and it can also help the stye drain faster and heal sooner.

To make a warm compress, you will need a clean washcloth or towel and some warm water. You can also use a warm tea bag, preferably black tea, as it has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. Here are the steps to follow:

• Wet the washcloth or towel with warm water, or steep the tea bag in hot water for a minute.
• Wring out the excess water, and make sure the compress is not too hot to avoid burning your skin.
• Place the compress over your closed eye, and hold it for 10 to 15 minutes.
• Repeat this process three to four times a day, until the stye goes away or bursts.
• After each use, wash the washcloth or towel with soap and water, or discard the tea bag.
• Do not squeeze, pop, or touch the stye, as this can spread the infection and cause more damage to your eye.

Another home remedy that you can try is to gently massage the eyelid with your clean finger, after applying a warm compress. This can help loosen the clogged oil or pus in the stye, and make it easier to drain. However, be careful not to press too hard or rub the stye, as this can irritate your eye and make the situation worse.

Over-the-Counter Treatments for a Stye

If you need some extra relief from the pain and discomfort of a stye, you can also use some over-the-counter (OTC) medications, such as:

• Painkillers. You can take OTC painkillers, such as paracetamol or ibuprofen, to ease the pain and inflammation of a stye. However, do not give aspirin to children under 16, as it can cause serious side effects.
• Antibiotics. You can use OTC antibiotic eye drops or ointments, such as chloramphenicol or fusidic acid, to treat the bacterial infection of a stye. However, you should only use them as directed by your pharmacist or doctor, and only if your stye is very large, painful, or persistent. You should also avoid using them for more than 10 days, as they can cause resistance or allergic reactions.
• Steroids. You can use OTC steroid eye drops or ointments, such as hydrocortisone, to reduce the swelling and redness of a stye. However, you should only use them as directed by your pharmacist or doctor, and only if your stye is very severe or does not respond to other treatments. You should also avoid using them for more than a week, as they can cause side effects such as glaucoma, cataracts, or infections.

Before using any OTC medication for a stye, you should always check the label for the ingredients, dosage, instructions, warnings, and expiration date. You should also consult your pharmacist or doctor if you have any questions, allergies, or medical conditions that may affect your use of the medication. You should also stop using the medication and seek medical attention if you experience any adverse reactions, such as rash, itching, burning, or vision changes.

When to See a Doctor for a Stye

Most styes go away on their own within a week or two, and do not require any specific treatment. However, there are some situations where you should see a doctor for a stye, such as:

• Your stye does not improve or gets worse after a week of home treatment.
• Your stye is very large, painful, or affects your vision.
• Your stye causes your eyelid to swell or droop, or your eye to become red, sensitive, or watery.
• Your stye spreads to other parts of your eye, such as the cornea or the conjunctiva.
• You have a fever, chills, or other signs of a systemic infection.
• You have recurrent or multiple styes, or a history of eye problems.

Your doctor will examine your eye and diagnose your stye. They may also take a sample of the pus or fluid from the stye and send it to a lab for testing. Depending on the severity and cause of your stye, your doctor may prescribe you stronger antibiotics, steroids, or other medications. They may also perform a minor surgery to drain the stye, if it does not go away on its own or causes complications.

FAQs About Styes

Here are some common questions and answers about styes, that you may find helpful or interesting.

What Causes a Stye?

A stye is usually caused by a bacterial infection of the oil glands or hair follicles on your eyelid. The bacteria that cause styes are usually Staphylococcus aureus or Staphylococcus epidermidis, which are normally found on your skin. However, they can enter your eye through a cut, scratch, or contact with contaminated objects, such as makeup, towels, or contact lenses.

Some factors that can increase your risk of getting a stye include:

• Poor hygiene, such as not washing your hands, face, or eyes regularly, or not removing your makeup before going to bed.
• Dry eyes, can make your oil glands produce more oil and clog your pores.
• Blepharitis is a chronic inflammation of the eyelids that can cause redness, itching, and crusting of the eyelashes.
• Rosacea is a skin condition that can cause redness, flushing, and bumps on your face and eyes.
• Diabetes, can weaken your immune system and make you more prone to infections.
• Stress, can affect your hormone levels and immune system, and make you more susceptible to infections.

How Can I Prevent a Stye?

You can prevent a stye by following some simple hygiene and lifestyle tips, such as:

• Wash your hands, face, and eyes regularly with soap and water, especially before and after touching your eyes or applying makeup.
• Use a clean washcloth or towel to dry your eyes, and avoid sharing them with others.
• Remove your makeup before going to bed, and use a gentle cleanser to remove any dirt, oil, or bacteria from your eyelids.
• Replace your makeup products every six months, and avoid using expired or contaminated makeup.
• Clean your contact lenses properly, and follow the instructions for wearing and storing them. Do not wear them overnight, or when you have a stye or any other eye problem.
• Use artificial tears or eye drops to lubricate your eyes, if you have dry eyes or use a computer for long hours.
• Treat any underlying conditions that may cause or worsen a stye, such as blepharitis, rosacea, or diabetes.
• Manage your stress levels, and practice relaxation techniques, such as meditation, yoga, or breathing exercises.
• Eat a balanced diet, rich in vitamins A, C, and E, zinc, and omega-3 fatty acids, which can boost your immune system and eye health.
• Drink plenty of water, and stay hydrated.
• Get enough sleep, and rest your eyes.

How Can I Tell a Stye Apart from Other Eye Problems?

A stye is not the only eye problem that can cause a bump on your eyelid. Some other conditions can look similar to a stye, but have different causes and treatments. Here are some of them:

• Chalazion. A chalazion is a painless, hard lump that forms on the inner side of your eyelid, due to a blocked oil gland. It can be larger than a stye, and it can affect your vision if it presses on your eye. A chalazion can sometimes develop from a stye, or it can occur on its own. It usually goes away on its own within a few months, but it may need to be treated with warm compresses, steroids, or surgery if it does not improve or causes problems.
• Hordeolum. A hordeolum is another name for a stye, but it can also refer to a more severe infection of the eyelid, that involves multiple oil glands or hair follicles. A hordeolum can cause more swelling, pain, and pus than a stye, and it can affect the entire eyelid. A hordeolum usually requires antibiotic treatment, and sometimes surgery, to clear.
• Milia. Milia are tiny, white, cyst-like bumps that form on the eyelid or under the eye, due to trapped keratin, a protein that makes up your skin. They are not caused by infection or inflammation, and they are not painful or itchy. They usually occur in newborns, but they can also affect adults, especially after skin damage or trauma. Milia usually go away on their own within a few weeks or months, but they can also be removed by a doctor, using a sterile needle or a laser.
• Xanthelasma. Xanthelasma are yellowish, flat, soft plaques that form on the eyelid or around the eye, due to deposits of cholesterol or fat. They are not caused by infection or inflammation, and they are not painful or itchy. They usually occur in middle-aged or older people, especially those with high cholesterol, diabetes, or liver disease. Xanthelasma do not go away on their own, and they may grow larger or multiply over time. They can be removed by a doctor, using a scalpel, a laser, or a chemical peel.
• Molluscum contagiosum. Molluscum contagiosum is a viral infection that causes small, flesh-colored, dome-shaped bumps with a dimple in the center, on the eyelid, or anywhere on the skin. They are not painful or itchy, but they can be contagious and spread to other parts of the body or other people. They usually occur in children, but they can also affect adults, especially those with weak immune systems or skin conditions. Molluscum contagiosum usually go away on their own within a year, but they can also be treated by a doctor, using cryotherapy, curettage, or topical medications.

If you have a bump on your eyelid that does not look like a stye, or if you are not sure what it is, you should see a doctor for a proper diagnosis and treatment. Do not try to self-diagnose or self-treat your eye problem, as this can lead to complications or worse outcomes.

Conclusion

A stye is a common and harmless eye problem that can affect anyone, at any age. It can cause discomfort and embarrassment, but it usually goes away on its own within a week or two. You can take care of a stye at home, by applying a warm compress, massaging the eyelid, and using OTC medications. However, you should see a doctor if your stye does not improve, gets worse, or causes other symptoms. You can also prevent a stye by practicing good hygiene, taking care of your eyes, and managing your health.

We hope this blog post has helped you learn more about styes, and how to take care of them. If you have any questions, comments, or feedback, please feel free to leave them below. We would love to hear from you. Thank you for reading, and have a great day!